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High-resolution In Vivo Manual Segmentation Protocol for Human Hippocampal Subfields Using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: November 10, 2015
Hippocampal infolding angle changes during brain development assessed by prenatal MR imaging.
A Righini1, S Zirpoli, C Parazzini
1Radiology and Neuroradiology Department, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, ICP, Milan, Italy. neurorad@icp.mi.it
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|November 18, 2006
Summary
Prenatal MRI can track the developing hippocampus rotation using the hippocampal infolding angle (HIA). This study provides normative HIA data, crucial for understanding fetal brain development and potential neurological outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Biology
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Congenital hippocampal anomalies are linked to epilepsy and neurodevelopmental delay.
- Quantitative data on fetal hippocampal development, particularly rotational changes, are limited.
- The hippocampal infolding angle (HIA) is a key indicator of hippocampal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting progressive hippocampal rotation.
- To establish quantitative data on hippocampal development through HIA measurement during fetal life.
- To hypothesize that prenatal MRI can provide normative HIA data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 62 fetal MRI scans with normal brain findings.
- Gestational age range from 20 to 37 weeks.
- Measurement of HIA in the coronal section encompassing the pons.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was observed between HIA and gestational age.
- HIA values were typically below 70 degrees before 25 weeks gestation.
- HIA values exceeded 70 degrees after 30 weeks gestation.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal MRI effectively detects progressive hippocampal rotation during fetal development.
- Normative data for HIA changes during gestation were established.
- These findings can aid future research on the impact of fetal HIA anomalies on postnatal neurological outcomes.

